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What happens when pride leads us to reject God's standards? In this illuminating episode of Devotions with Dr. Papa, we dive deep into the biblical account of history's first siblings and humanity's first murder. Drawing from Genesis 4:2-5, Dr. Jackson expertly unravels the profound spiritual lessons hidden within this ancient story that remain startlingly relevant today.

Why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's? The answer transcends their occupations as shepherd and farmer. Abel, described as both "righteous" and a "prophet" by Jesus himself, offered his sacrifice in faith and obedience. Meanwhile, Cain—whom Scripture identifies as "of the wicked one"—rebelliously presented what he wanted to give rather than what God required. This fundamental difference reveals the true condition of their hearts and foreshadows the tragic consequences that would follow.

Dr. Papa masterfully connects this ancient narrative to our modern spiritual struggles, highlighting how pride—thinking our way is better than God's way—lies at the root of all sin. Through a compelling personal story about confronting a friend caught in infidelity, he demonstrates the stark contrast between responding to truth with humble repentance versus Cain's path of anger and resentment. The lesson becomes crystal clear: "A wise man receives the rebuke of a friend, but a foolish man, a proud man like Cain, does not."

This episode reminds us that our hope must be built on "nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness" and that God rejects our man-made substitutes for salvation just as He rejected Cain's offering. Whether you're struggling with pride, facing difficult truth in your life, or simply seeking deeper biblical understanding, this powerful teaching offers timeless wisdom for your spiritual journey. Listen now and discover what it truly means to approach God on His terms, not our own.

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Death catches us all by surprise – even when we think we're prepared for it. In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Robert Jackson opens his heart to share personal encounters with life's brevity that have shaped his perspective on faith and preparedness.

The journey begins with a teenage Dr. Jackson standing in a rural emergency room, watching his physician father battle unsuccessfully to save a crash victim's life. This foreshadows the devastating loss of his own father in a plane crash years later – the last memory being his dad kneeling in prayer over him before departing for a flight that would never return. The recent tragic deaths of his dear friends Philip and Cheryl Porter in similar circumstances reopens these wounds while reinforcing timeless truths about how we should live.

Philip Porter wasn't just a patient but a kindred spirit who used his piloting skills to transport medical patients, pastors, and even rescue victims of sex trafficking. His and Cheryl's lives exemplified genuine Christian service – giving generously of their time, talents and finances to advance God's kingdom. Their sudden departure prompts Dr. Jackson to share crucial wisdom: be ready to meet Jesus at any moment, keep short accounts in relationships, share the gospel with loved ones, and prepare practically for death with wills, insurance, and funeral arrangements.

The episode concludes with the beautiful aviation poem "High Flight," celebrating those who have "slipped the surly bonds of earth" and "touched the face of God." Dr. Jackson's testimony that "Praise God, Philip's gone to glory" echoes the comforting words once shared with him about his own father – a reminder that for believers, death isn't the end but a homecoming. What preparations have you made for your final flight? Are you living so everyone knows where you're headed?

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Eve's simple declaration after giving birth to Cain—"I have gotten a man-child with the help of the Lord"—reveals a profound theological truth that modern society has largely forgotten: God alone opens and closes the womb. In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Robert Jackson and his wife Carlotta trace this understanding through Scripture, examining how women like Sarah, Rachel, Leah, and Hannah all discovered this reality through their own struggles with fertility.

Against this biblical backdrop, the Jacksons examine our current global fertility crisis. With birth rates plummeting worldwide—Vietnam abandoning its two-child policy, the United States hovering at just 1.62 children per woman, and aging populations threatening economic stability across developed nations—we're witnessing the consequences of viewing children as burdens rather than blessings.

What's driving this decline? The Jacksons identify three cultural forces: widespread birth control, women prioritizing careers over motherhood, and rampant materialism that calculates children primarily as financial liabilities. These forces directly contradict Scripture's consistent portrayal of children as divine gifts (Psalm 127:3-5).

The conversation takes a personal turn when Carlotta, herself highly educated with numerous professional opportunities, shares why she chose to be a stay-at-home mother of nine children. Her counter-cultural decision wasn't always easy, but it was grounded in faith rather than fear—a perspective she passionately encourages younger women to embrace.

This episode challenges listeners to reconsider whether our attitudes toward family planning reflect biblical wisdom or merely cultural conditioning. When Pope Francis observes that "birth rates reveal how much happiness is present in society," he highlights what might be the most overlooked truth in our discussions about fertility: our willingness to welcome children reveals much about our faith, values, and ultimate source of security.

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What happens when nine candidates compete for sheriff in a special election? Frank Tiller, newly elected Chairman of the Spartanburg County Republican Party, shares the unexpected challenges and surprising community response as his leadership team navigates what even state election officials couldn't fully advise them on.

This engaging conversation pulls back the curtain on local politics, revealing the often-misunderstood nature of political party operations. When Tiller's team inherited a nearly empty bank account and immediately faced organizing major candidate forums, they encountered a common misconception - that political parties are government-funded entities. The reality of grassroots funding comes into sharp focus as Tiller recounts the remarkable moment when community members stepped forward to transform ticketed events into free forums accessible to all voters.

The heart of Spartanburg's political renewal beats every Saturday morning at a local restaurant where "CAMP" (Coffee and American Politics) gatherings have exploded from an intimate group of eight to overflow crowds exceeding 100 participants. What makes these meetings special? Tiller explains that unlike traditional political events, every attendee gets microphone time - prompting the most common feedback: "My voice is being heard, and that has never happened before in politics."

From navigating the peculiar requirement that the county chairman must collect sheriff candidates' fingerprints to the ambitious goal of increasing primary election turnout from 13% to 20%, this conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into democracy at work at its most local level.

Ready to engage with your local political process? Mark August 8th on your calendar for the special election, and consider joining the Saturday morning conversations where candidates and citizens connect beyond credentials to build the relationships that ultimately drive voting decisions.

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Have you ever wondered about the mysterious "us" God refers to in Genesis? Or why Adam and Eve were really banished from Eden? Dr. Papa tackles these profound questions and more in this eye-opening exploration of Genesis 3:22-24.

Diving deep into scripture, Dr. Papa reveals how the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—was present from the very beginning of creation. Through connections to passages in John, Colossians, and Hebrews, we discover Jesus as the living Word who was with God before time began. Perhaps most comforting is the revelation that Christ's sacrifice wasn't a divine afterthought or emergency response to human failure. "Jesus on the cross was not plan B," Dr. Papa explains. "He was slain before the foundation of the world." This powerful truth helps us understand God's perfect sovereignty—there are truly "no oopsies with God."

The episode also illuminates God's mercy in the garden banishment. By preventing access to the tree of life, God actually protected humanity from an eternal existence trapped in sin. Dr. Papa draws a fascinating parallel between very elderly patients who know the Lord and those who don't: believers look forward to eternity with Christ while non-believers desperately cling to this life, having no hope beyond it. Through this lens, even difficult passages like the garden expulsion reveal God's compassion and foresight.

Sin's fundamental problem—separation from God and others—remains our greatest challenge today. Yet Christ bridges this gap, offering reconciliation freely to all who accept it through faith. While we can't return to Eden, we can walk hand-in-hand with Jesus, experiencing the relationship Adam and Eve lost.

Subscribe to Devotions with Dr. Papa for more scriptural insights, and join us next week as we begin exploring Genesis chapter 4!

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What happens when our votes disappear into a technological black box? South Carolina Election Integrity advocate Laura Scharr pulls back the curtain on America's troubling voting systems while offering a surprisingly simple solution.

The startling truth about our elections emerges quickly: most Americans have no understanding of how their votes are actually counted. Our voting systems operate on technical standards from 2005 - predating the first iPhone - and create what Scharr calls a "weapon of vote destruction." She vividly compares it to receiving a bank statement showing only your final balance with no transaction history. Would you accept that level of opacity with your money? Then why accept it with your vote?

Following her recent Gold Standard Election Expo in Dallas, Scharr expertly walks us through her comprehensive four-phase approach to election reform: voter registration, voter validation, tabulation, and reporting. Each phase must satisfy four essential pillars: accessibility, security, transparency, and verifiability. Her team's simple yet revolutionary "Gold Standard Tally Method" relies on just three elements - people, paper, and pens.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when examining President Trump's March 25th executive order, which prohibits barcode/QR code tabulation and requires upgrading to new voting system standards by September 2024. With primaries approaching and certification timelines tight, Scharr explains why we might see hand-counted federal races in 2024 - creating a nationwide demonstration of what transparent elections could look like.

Critics claim hand counting would take too long or prove too error-prone, but Scharr's team has debunked these myths through extensive testing. With properly sized precincts of 1,500 voters, counts can be completed by midnight. A Rasmussen poll revealed that 52% of likely voters across all demographics would volunteer to count ballots in their local areas.

Whether you're deeply concerned about election integrity or simply curious about how your vote gets counted, this eye-opening conversation reveals why election reform must precede all other political priorities. As Scharr powerfully states, "Our ballots shall be cast in secret, but they shall not be counted in secret."

Ready to take action? Visit scsafeelections.org to download the Gold Standard white paper and contact your representatives to demand transparent, verifiable elections that restore trust in our democratic process.

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The scarlet thread of redemption begins in the Garden of Eden with a profound act of divine mercy. When Adam names his wife "Eve," meaning life, it reveals a remarkable spiritual transformation—the first humans had repented of their rebellion and embraced God's promise of a coming Redeemer.

This episode of "Devotions with Dr. Papa" explores Genesis 3:20-21, where we witness the origin of blood atonement. After Adam and Eve's failed attempt to cover themselves with fig leaves, God sacrifices an animal to clothe them properly. This becomes the first link in the scarlet thread that weaves throughout Scripture—from Abel's accepted sacrifice and Noah's burnt offerings to Abraham's test with Isaac and the Passover lamb in Egypt. Each blood sacrifice foreshadows the ultimate atonement that would come through Christ.

Dr. Jackson powerfully reminds us that nothing we do can erase even a single sin. No religious activity, moral achievement, or social status can atone for our transgressions. When standing before God's judgment, only one plea remains valid: trust in the blood of Jesus. As the beloved hymn declares, "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood." The animal skin garments in Eden point directly to Calvary's cross, where God's plan of redemption reaches its perfect fulfillment in Christ's sacrifice. This timeless truth offers us the same path to restoration that Adam and Eve discovered—repentance, faith, and the divine covering that only God can provide.

Join us next week as we finish examining Genesis chapter 3. Until then, remember that true contentment comes only through trusting and obeying God—a lesson first learned in humanity's earliest days.

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The healthcare establishment was rocked to its foundation when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in one decisive move. Dr. Robert Jackson and his daughter Hannah Miller explore this watershed moment and its profound implications for vaccine safety oversight in America.

Kennedy's bold action directly confronts decades of pharmaceutical industry influence over vaccine approvals. The ACIP panel members—described as having "never met a vaccine they didn't love"—maintained deep financial ties to the very companies whose products they evaluated. This arrangement created an environment where rubber-stamp approvals became standard practice, culminating in the hasty endorsement of mRNA COVID vaccines for children without adequate safety data.

Mainstream media immediately framed Kennedy's decision as "anti-science," coordinating messaging across platforms with doctors in white coats condemning the move. Yet this reaction ignores Kennedy's substantive criticisms: conflicts of interest that permeate vaccine oversight, persecution of medical professionals who question consensus, a striking lack of curiosity about vaccine injuries, and fundamentally skewed research methodologies that prioritize fast approval over thorough safety evaluation.

The conversation highlights doctors like Peter McCullough and Robert Malone who faced severe professional consequences for challenging COVID policies, while examining how RFK Jr's new appointees—including Martin Kulldorff, co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration—bring credibility and needed perspective to vaccine safety evaluation.

Why do so many medical professionals remain unable to acknowledge mounting evidence of vaccine harms? Dr. Jackson suggests this represents a form of spiritual blindness that transcends mere information deficits. The path forward requires not just better data, but a fundamental reorientation toward truth-seeking regardless of financial incentives.

Are you concerned about conflicts of interest in medical research? Have you noticed how questioning vaccine safety immediately brands someone as "anti-science"? Listen to this essential conversation that peels back the layers of institutional corruption threatening public health.

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